Food and Macronutrient Intake of Elite Kenyan Distance Runners

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Date
2005-11Author
Onywera, V.O.
Boit, Michael K.
Wamukoya, Edwin K.
Pitsfladis, Yannis P.
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Show full item recordAbstract
The food and macronutrient intake of elite Kenyan runners was
compared to recommendations for endurance athletes.
Estimated energy intake (EI: 2987 ±293 kcal; mean ± standard
deviation) was lower than energy expenditure (EE:3605 ±119
kcal; P <0.001) and body mass (BM:58.9 ±2.7 kg vs.58.3 ±2.6
kg; P <0.001) was reduced over the 7-d intense training period.
Diet was high in carbohydrate (76.5%,10.4 g/kg BM per day)
and low in fat (13.4%). Protein intake (10.1%;1.3 g/kg BM per
day) matched recommendations fur protein intake. Fluid intake
was modest and mainly in the form of water (1113 ±269
mL;0.34 ±0.16 mL/kcal)and tea (1243 ±348 mL).
Although the diet met most recommendations for endurance
athletes for macro nutrient intake, it remains to be determined if
modifying energy balance and fluid intake will enhance the
performance of elite Kenyan runners.